Brake work recommendations - to flush or not?

My prius is "electro hydraulic" and still brakes the same after 10 years

 

I prefer hy-bro-scopic. YMMV

This thread is making me think I need to flush some brake fluid. I’ve always noticed that near the caliper is usually the worst for color. Maybe due to heat and being a low point? At a minimum getting that portion out can only help.

 

You do realize there is a brake bleeding method called gravity bleeding right? You just open the bleeder and let gravity do its thing. Top off the master and repeat at the other wheels.

 

I do alot of autocross mountain drives and track events in my other car. Bleeding your brakes can be a good idea. Water in your brake fluid can causing boiling and a spungy pedal. Other then that they only really need to be flushed once the hoses fall apart and make a mess. It doesnt hurt to change it but 20k is exsessive. Dot 3 is less hydroscopic then dot 4 which alot of performance cars are starting to use. IMO flush it if it starts to look greenish, signs of water, or your pedal starts to feel mushy. You can sometimes use gravity bleeding but todays brake lines are so twisty it doesnt always work out well. If you bleed alot of brakes or work alone a vaccum bleeder works well and can be used for other fluids as well if you have shop air.

 

My point was the meter test would take only a minute and filling and bleeding at each wheel cylinder (gravity or the faster brake pumping method which is also best to get any air out) takes time and far more labor. Even with a vacuum pump it’s gonna take you time and labor.